Vaping-related illness confirmed in Seattle’s King County

Seattle and King County Public Health says a teenager has received medical treatment for severe lung disease linked to vaping.

County health officials said Wednesday that the teen was hospitalized in August with a fever, cough and shortness of breath. Officials say he was treated in the intensive care unit, released from the hospital five days later and is now recovering.

The patient reported using e-cigarette products over the past three years. Officials say the teenager reported vaping nicotine with propylene glycol as well as saffron, but they don’t yet know where the products were obtained or if other substances were also used.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there have been roughly 450 cases of the lung disease nationally, and a half dozen people with the illness have died.